Staff Correspondent

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) has taken steps to introduce e-ticketing for its ferry and passenger services, with the organisation already inviting tenders to appoint contractors for implementing this initiative.

According to sources, BIWTC has undertaken this initiative to digitalise ferry and passenger services with the aim of better managing the queues of ferries and vehicles at the terminals, thereby significantly reducing waiting times.

The passengers, under this service, will also be able to purchase tickets, check schedules, weather updates, and receive notifications and other information online via mobile and internet services.

When asked, Sanjoy Kumar Banik, chairman of BIWTC, told the Daily Sun, “We have taken the initiative to introduce e-ticketing. The tendering process is ongoing, but it’s hard to say exactly when we will be able to launch it.”

“Once the tendering process is completed, we will have a clearer idea. However, we are trying to finish the process as quickly as possible. This will bring some improvements to BIWTC,” he stated.

Sources from BIWTC said that the current plan is to convert the existing ferry and passenger services into electronic services. This includes weight machine calculation, fuel management with ship tracking, vehicle queue management, navigation maps, online and offline ticket sales via payment gateways, and scheduling.

An official from BIWTC involved in the e-ticketing project told this newspaper, “Managing the queues of trucks, lorries, and covered vans at the ferry terminals is really challenging, especially during festival times when heavy vehicles create long lines.”

“The main goal of this transformation is to bring services to the fingertips of the citisens. It will save fuel and transportation costs, reduce waiting times in queues, and ensure timely delivery of goods to the passengers,” he stated.

BIWTC sources informed that there are currently 14 ferry terminals across the country, and these terminals would be integrated into the e-ticketing system.

“The number of terminals may increase in the future. BIWTC currently operates 52 ferries. Additionally, it provides limited passenger services. Alongside vehicles, some passengers also travel via ferries. Besides this, passenger services are offered on coastal routes between Hatiya and Monpura by sea-trucks,” officials said.

BIWTC has been trying to launch this system for the last three years, and it is expected to be implemented in 2024. After the tender process, and once the software and necessary installations are completed, e-ticketing operations could begin in a year and a half.

Once e-ticketing is introduced, tickets would be available for purchase through both online/offline applications and mobile apps.

The system will include payment gateway integration and enhanced security features. Customers will receive an SMS for verification and purchase confirmation when a ticket is bought via the app or website.

BIWTC officials stated that the system would reduce traffic congestion and improve traffic management around the ferry terminals.

“A central database for sold tickets and other information would be created. A unified central e-ticketing system would be implemented for all BIWTC ferries, sea trucks, and passenger vessels across the country. This would help transfer technology and enhance the capacity of BIWTC,” they continued.